On The Dotted Line: 17 MLB Draft First Rounders Sign Above Slot

Among the 32 first-round selections in the '10 MLB First-Year Player Draft, 29 players signed before last night's deadline, with 17 of those picks signing for above MLB's recommended slot. The Pirates awarded the largest signing bonus in the draft to P Jameson Taillon. The $6.5M bonus marks the highest figure ever awarded to a player directly out of high school. Three players in this year's first round did not sign with their respective teams, the highest number for the first round since '89. The Tigers, who did not have a first-round pick this year, awarded a $3.45M signing bonus to SS Nick Castellanos, which marks a record for a pick outside of the first round. Listed below are signing bonuses for those first round picks who signed with their respective clubs, as well as MLB's recommended slot money for that draft position (THE DAILY).

'10 MLB DRAFT SIGNING BONUSES FOR FIRST ROUND PICKS

PICK

TEAM

PLAYER

'10 BONUS

'10 MLB RECOMMENDED
SLOT MONEY

1

Nationals

OF/C Bryce Harper*

$6.25M

$4.0M

2

Pirates

P Jameson Taillon

$6.5M

$3.25M

3

Orioles

SS Manny Machado

$5.25M

$3.00M

4

Royals

SS Christian Colon

$2.75M

$2.75M

5

Indians

P Drew Pomeranz

$2.65M

$2.52M

6

D'Backs

P Barret Loux

Did not sign

$2.34M

7

Mets

P Matt Harvey

$2.525M

$2.178M

8

Astros

2B Delino DeShields Jr.

$2.15M

$2.043M

9

Padres

P Karsten Whitson

Did not sign

$1.962M

10

A's

OF Michael Choice

$2.0M

$1.863M

11

Blue Jays

P Deck McGuire

$2.0M

$1.791M

12

Reds

C Yasmani Grandal*

$2.0M

$1.719M

13

White Sox

P Chris Sale

$1.656M

$1.656M

14

Brewers

P Dylan Covey

Did not sign

$1.602M

15

Rangers

OF Jake Skole**

$1.557M

$1.557M

16

Cubs

P Hayden Simpson

$1.06M

$1.512M

17

Rays

OF Josh Sale

$1.62M

$1.467M

18

Angels

3B/P Kaleb Cowart

$2.3M

$1.422M

19

Astros

P Mike Foltynewicz

$1.305M

$1.386M

20

Red Sox

2B/OF Kolbrin Vitek

$1.359M

$1.359M

21

Twins

P Alex Wimmers

$1.332M

$1.332M

22

Rangers

C Kellin Deglan

$1.0M

$1.287M

23

Marlins

OF Christian Yelich

$1.7M

$1.26M

24

Giants

OF Gary Brown

$1.45M

$1.242M

25

Cardinals

3B Zack Cox*

$2.0M

$1.215M

26

Rockies

OF Kyle Parker

$1.4M

$1.197M

27

Phillies

P Jesse Biddle

$1.16M

$1.161M

28

Dodgers

P Zach Lee**

$5.25M

$1.134M

29

Angels

P Cam Bedrosian

$1.116M

$1.116M

30

Angels

OF Chevez Clarke

$1.089M

$1.089M

31

Rays

C Justin O'Conner

$1.025M

$972,000

32

Yankees

SS Cito Culver

$954,000

$954,000

NOTES: * = Major league contract. ** = Two-sport contract that allows a club to spread bonus money over time period up to five years.